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McAlester mayor outlines economic growth, infrastructure and water upgrades in annual address
Summary
The mayor delivered the annual state of the city, highlighting recent business openings and announcements, a voter-approved water-line replacement, takeover of daily operations at the water treatment plant and planned tax-increment financing work aimed at economic and housing goals.
The mayor of McAlester delivered the annual state of the city address, outlining recent business arrivals, infrastructure projects and public-safety and community initiatives aimed at supporting local growth.
The mayor said McAlester welcomed new businesses including McAlester’s Deli, Pink Pop, ABC Supply, 221 Creative Marketing, Maxwell Supply and Freddy’s; the city has also announced the upcoming construction of an Amazon facility and the anticipated grand openings of QuikTrip and Alsips. The address noted ongoing work on a voter-approved water-line replacement project and said the city assumed daily operations at the water treatment plant to ‘‘improve efficiency and water quality.’’ The mayor said the plant treats approximately 3.5 million to 5 million gallons per day and serves about 28,000 residents and five rural water districts.
Why it matters: the mayor framed the projects as investments designed to support jobs, attract further private investment and modernize essential systems. He also described work on a tax increment finance (TIF) district tied to the Shops in McAlester and said council discussions have begun about a second TIF aimed at increasing sales revenue and addressing housing needs.
The address summarized the city’s pavement management program and a comprehensive street survey completed last summer; residents were told a map of the 2024 pavement-management work is available on the city website. The mayor also said the administration has pursued grant funding for infrastructure, public safety and community development and thanked county and tribal partners, specifically the Pittsburgh County Commissioners and the Choctaw Nation, for collaboration.
Public safety, parks and community engagement were presented as continuing priorities. The mayor said police, fire and emergency personnel received investments in equipment and training and that parks and senior and youth services would continue to be expanded. The speech closed with thanks to city employees and community leaders and a call for residents and businesses to promote the city.
The mayor’s remarks were delivered as part of the council’s scheduled business; no formal vote was associated with the address.
